Secure conduit (pathway) system for telecommunications and communications transmission equipment, environmental analysis equipment, computer equipment and the like

ABSTRACT

A secure conduit system is described through which electrical, electronic or optical fiber cables, pneumatic tubing, hydraulic tubing or other elongated wiring, cabling or tubing can be routed. The system includes open-sided raceways through which the cable is routed, covers for closure of the raceways, at least one locking device to lock a raceway and cover and being releasable only from within the raceway, with the device release being accessible only though an open end of the conduit, and the remainder of the conduit sections being openable only after release of the locking device of the first section. The conduit system may be multibranched and is intended to be connected at its ends to secure enclosures which allow for controlled access to the cabling and to the release mechanism. Typical uses will be for computer networks, communication systems, equipment control systems and remote environmental gas sampling and analysis systems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/480,726,filed on Jun. 23, 2003. This application is also a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/690,212, filed on Oct. 21, 2003,of like title.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to conduits, raceways and similardevices for routing signalling or transmission apparatus such as cables,tubing and wires (including those composed of either metal or opticalfiber) between locations. More particularly it relates to such deviceswhich must be used for signalling or transmission in a highly secureenvironment.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] In many industries, research facilities and governmental andmilitary facilities there is a need for secure routing of signaling andtransmission means such as computer, power, communication and similarcables and wires and fluid conveyance tubing, e.g., gas and liquidpneumatic and hydraulic lines. (For brevity herein such signalling andtransmission means will often be exemplified as and referred tocollectively as “cable”, “cables” or “cabling” unless the contextindicates otherwise or specific types of such means are mentioned. Itwill be recognized, however, that such collective terminology is usedfor convenience only and is not intended to be limiting.) Further, theterms “conduit” and “conduit system” may be considered synonymous unlessthe context indicates otherwise.) Unauthorized access to such cablesmust be prevented or at least made extremely difficult while yet easy todetect. Conduits for routing of such cables must be protected fromintrusion by penetration or removal of access covers or sections ofconduit, and also must provide a suitable degree of physical protectionfor the transmission devices within the conduit from environmentalhazards, weather and climate excesses and accident or attack. However,such protection must not be so cumbersome that authorized access forremoval, repair or insertion of the cables within the conduit is madeexcessively difficult.

[0006] Typical uses for the present secure conduit invention will be forcomputer networks, communication systems, equipment control systems,remote sensing systems and the like. Specific principal uses which maybe illustrated as examples are as conduits for telecommunicationscables, computer cables, power transmission cables (especially for powerto critical operational equipment or facilities) and environmental gassampler tubing or piping. Users may be companies, researchorganizations, military units and governmental organizations andagencies. Facilities where secure conduits are desirable include officeand laboratory buildings; military camps and bases; ships, dockyards orother marine facilities; airports; prisons; chemical plants andpetroleum refineries; factories; banks, exchanges and other financialinstitutions; and power, gas and water utilities.

[0007] In the past, there have been numerous cable and other routingsystems, such as those used to route computer, electric power andcommunications cables and wires to and within offices, especially withina building. A particularly successful example of such a system is thatdescribed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,211, owned by the assigneeof the present invention and patent application, Holocom Networks ofCarlsbad, Calif., and commercially available under the trademarkTOPRUNNER®. A principal limitation of such systems, however, is thatthey are not secure from intrusion and cannot be made secure withoutextensive modification. Such modification is impractical in most cases,since the intent of their designers and their users has been to havethem readily accessible to facilitate frequent reconfiguration.Therefore while such non-secure systems do provide functions similar tothose of the system of the present invention, i.e., routing of cables,their physical structures and security capabilities are entirelydifferent.

[0008] It would therefore be of significant value to have a secureconduit system which would provide security against unauthorized accessto cables routed through the system, while at the same time permittingsimple and easy access to those cables within the system to authorizedpersons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention described and claimed herein is of apparatus forsecure routing of signalling or transmission means which comprises anopen-sided open-ended elongated channel member through which the meansis routed, a cover for closure of the open side of the channel member, alocking device to lock the cover to the channel member or enclosures,the locking device being releasable only from within the channel member;and release means for releasing the locking device and accessible thoughan open end of the channel member, whereby the cover and the channelmember, once locked together, can be separated only by release of thelocking device by access through an open end of the conduit, pathway orenclosure. Normally there will be plurality of channel members alignedend-to-end, each with its own cover. For most of the channel members,the covers will be held on by simple locking tabs which engageprojections or ribs within the channel members. After assembly of thelatter cover/channel pairs, the remaining cover and channel member willbe assembled with the locking device to secure the entire length of theconduit. The conduit preferably terminates at its ends in secureenclosures which limit access to the interior of the conduit to onlythat which can be gained through the enclosures. Other secure enclosuresmay be spaced along the length of the conduit.

[0010] T-, Y-, L- and X-shaped and other curved, bent, or multibranchedraceway/cover pairs can be included in the conduit structure to formbranches which allow conduit directional changes, junctions and multipleconduit routes. In such cases each conduit branch should terminate in aseparate secure enclosure, and normally a cover/channel pair with alocking device will be included in each branch, unless the branch isquite short, such that it can be secured by abutting the main securedportion of the conduit.

[0011] The signalling or transmission means of significance in thisinvention includes, but is not limited to, computer, power,communication and similar cables and wires and fluid conveyance tubing,e.g., gas and liquid pneumatic and hydraulic lines. Within the secureconduit of this invention any one or more of such means may be routed,the number being limited primarily by the physical size of the conduitand by the sharpness of any turns in the conduit. Where a conduit hasmultiple branches, individual cables may follow different paths throughthe conduit system, such that different numbers of cables may be presentin different branches of the system.

[0012] The locking device which permits securing of the cover to theconduit may be secured within the conduit in a variety of manners, suchas by use of spring-urged pins engaging projecting ribs on the interiorwalls of the conduit or by use of bolts which allow clamping of thelocking device to both the top of the conduit and to the interior ribs.

[0013] Details of the invention and further descriptions will be foundbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical conduit assembly mounted on awall of other supporting surface;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flange connector;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of a locking unit;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the locking unit ofFIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a section of a raceway;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a section of a top cover;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lock connector;

[0022]FIG. 9 is an end view of the lock connector of FIG. 8 with thelocking tab secured in place;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a snap-in connector;

[0024]FIG. 11 is an end view of the connector or FIG. 10 with the snapspring secured in place;

[0025]FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG.6 showing the initial insertion of a locking unit;

[0026]FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing the locking unitsecured in place;

[0027]FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG.3;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating an alternativeembodiment;

[0029]FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG.1;

[0030]FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG.16;

[0031]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a corner raceway component;

[0032]FIG. 19 is a perspective view from below of a corner top cover;

[0033]FIG. 20 is a top view of a T-shaped junction unit;

[0034]FIG. 21 is a schematic view from above of a mechanized system forlocking and unlocking the locking unit;

[0035]FIG. 22 is a perspective view from above of yet anotheralternative version of the locking unit of FIG. 4 illustrating adifferent structure for securing the locking unit in place;

[0036]FIG. 23 is a perspective view from above of an alternative versionof the locking unit of FIG. 4;

[0037]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of above of another alternativeversion of the locking unit of FIG. 4;

[0038]FIGS. 25 and 26 are respectively perspective views from below ofthe locking unit of FIG. 24 in an unlocked and locked configuration,illustrating locking and unlocking by spring pins and a U-shaped springrelease;

[0039]FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 are perspective separated views of the twohalves of respectively a T-shaped locking junction unit, an X-shapedlocking junction unit and an L-shaped locking corner unit;

[0040]FIG. 30 is a plan view from below of the interior of an L-shapedbend unit, similar to the L-shaped corner unit of FIG. 29;

[0041]FIGS. 31 and 32 are oblique views of one end of alternativeembodiment of raceways of FIG. 6 formed respectively from aluminum andsteel

[0042]FIGS. 33 and 34 are, respectively, an oblique and an explodedoblique view of an alternative embodiment to the release mechanism ofFIGS. 25 and 26;

[0043]FIG. 34 is an oblique view from below of a top cover illustratingan alternative means of locking the top cover in place;

[0044]FIG. 36 is an end view of an assembled raceway, top cover andlocking mechanism of FIGS. 34-36, with the locking rod removed forclarity;

[0045]FIGS. 37 and 38 are, respectively, an oblique and an explodedoblique view of an alternative lanyard embodiment to the spring releasemechanism of FIGS. 29 and 30 for corner (L-shaped) and angled sections;

[0046]FIGS. 39 and 40 are respectively an oblique and top view (with thetop cover removed) of a large radius T-junction section of conduit,illustrating a release mechanism equivalent to that of FIGS. 37 and 38;

[0047]FIG. 41 is an oblique view similar to that of FIG. 39 butillustrating an embodiment where locking release is by spring mechanismrather than by lanyard release; and

[0048]FIG. 42 is an elevation view, partially in cross-section and cutaway, illustrating a structure for connection between two secure systemsthrough a barrier wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] For the purposes of this invention, the terms “secure”, “secureconduit”, “secure conduit system”, “secure enclosure” and the like areintended to include those systems which meet the requirements of“Protective Distribution Systems (PDS)” as defined by the NationalSecurity Telecommunications and Information Systems Security Secretariatof the National Security Agency in Instruction No. 7003 (NSTISSI 7003:issued 13 Dec. 1996), the content of which is incorporated herein byreference. In addition to those secure conduit systems which are“secure” within the meaning of the PDS requirement, the presentinvention may also be used for secure conduit systems where the degreeof security is not within the specific PDS standard. Such other conduitsystems may include various non-governmental and/or commercial systemsto which NSTISSI 7003 may not be applicable or where application isvoluntary.

[0050] It will also be recognized that security of a conduit system isoften a function of both the system's resistance to penetration or entryand the ease of an observer's being readily able to tell thatpenetration or entry has been attempted or accomplished. Thus as will bedescribed the conduits of the present invention are commonly installedwith stand-offs or other means to isolate the conduits from contact withadjacent surfaces, such that an observed can by sight or touch readilyexamine all exterior sides of conduit components to detect any attemptat penetration of or entry into the system. Thus where inspection of asystem is frequent or the sections of the system are readily in view ofobservers, such that attempts at penetration or entry will be easilyseen, the conduit components themselves for such sections may be formedof materials which are themselves less resistant to penetration thatwould be called for in sections of the conduit where inspection is lessfrequent or more difficult to accomplish.

[0051] The invention described and claimed herein is a secure conduitsystem through which electrical, electronic or optical fiber cables,pneumatic tubing, hydraulic tubing or other elongated wiring, cabling ortubing can be routed. The conduit system can be connected at its variousends to secure enclosures which allow for secure controlled access tothe cabling inside the conduit system. Typical uses will be for computernetworks, communication systems, power transmission, equipment controlsystems, remote sensing systems and the like. Principal uses which maybe illustrated as examples in electrical, electronic andtelecommunications fields include secure routing of power cables,computer cables and communications cables for networked computer systemsand wired telecommunications systems. Locations may be within, betweenor outside buildings. The secure conduit system will also be ofimportance even with wireless communications systems, such as forsecurity of landline cabling from the generating or receiving equipmentto the sending/receiving antennas.

[0052] Another example of potential users' systems is a system forremote environmental air, gas or liquid sampling and analysis. In thistype of system, a fluid-tight tube, hose or pipe is run from a storageor analysis location to a remote sampling site where the pipe terminatesin an open liquid-, air- or gas-sampling device. Periodically orcontinually samples of the environment at the sampler point are taken,and then transported back through the pipe to a collection system foranalysis or directly to an analysis system. Such secured pipe is desiredwhen the liquid, gas or air in the pipe cannot be leaked to the outsideor accessed by unauthorized persons or in an unauthorized manner. Suchunauthorized access is of particular concern when the liquid, gas or airbeing sampled is itself flammable, toxic or otherwise dangerous, or whenit may be contaminated with or otherwise carry or entrain flammable,toxic or otherwise dangerous components.

[0053] It is not intended that the secure conduit itself normally beair-, liquid- or gas-tight, although its closed configuration is suchthat it can be exposed to inclement environments and will to some extentresist infiltration of rain, snowmelt, blown dust and similar commonenvironmental elements. Should greater environmental protection bedesired, it is contemplated that the cabling can be encased in aprotective sleeve or similar device prior to being installed within theconduit, or alternatively the conduit itself, after insertion of thecables can be encased in such a protective covering. It will berecognized that reconfiguring of the conduit contents will thereafternormally necessitate removal of some or all of the protective covering.

[0054] It will be understood that reference to an embodiment as“alternative” is intended to indicate only that the present inventionincludes a number of variations of the various embodiments as tostructure, materials of construction, number and types of conduitcomponents, and the like. All are considered to be substantiallyequivalent in overall performance. A user of the invention can readilyselect the specific combinations of components, materials, etc. whichare best suited for the particular location, environment and specifiedsecurity requirements for the particular system which he or she needs.Numerous examples will be referred to below.

[0055] The invention is best understood by reference to the Figures ofthe drawings. FIG. 1 shows the components of the secure conduit system 2in a very simplified installation and a wall 4. Installations willcommonly be mounted on walls, ceilings, space dividers, bulkheads,building structural members such as columns, rafters, studs and joists,and other similar supports. They may also span short unsupported spaces(usually not more than 3-10 ft [about 1-3 m]) such as running acrossspaced-apart joists or studs. The raceway may be surface mounted, butfor the most security, however, and as required for PDS installations,most or all of the secure conduit will not be surface mounted, butrather will be mounted spaced apart from the surface over which it runs,so stand-offs are needed along the conduit to maintain it in position.This requirement is to insure that observers of the conduit can detectany attempts to penetrate the conduit from its back side, by being ableto see any suspicious hole in the surface to which it is mounted or anysuspicious device bridging the gap between the surface and the conduit.Over the length of a conduit run, different means of attachment,stand-off and support may be used at different locations.

[0056] Prior to installation, one first determines the locations of thevarious secure enclosures 6 needed along the secure conduit 2 and thedesired route of the conduit (including branches thereof) to reach thoseenclosures. It is not necessary that the route selected be the shortestpossible. As noted, there are a number of different uses for the secureconduit which are anticipated to result in different numbers of secureenclosures along the route, with different spacings between adjacentenclosures. Secure enclosures 6 have been produced and sold commerciallyby the assignee of this patent application and are also the subject ofcopending U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/112,353, alsoassigned to the assignee of this application. Essentially each suchsecure enclosures 6 incorporates a box-like structure which houses aconnection to apparatus of a secure signalling or transmission system 2such as a computer network, communications network or environmentalanalysis system. To attach to or gain access to the secure system 2, auser must have a device (e.g., a computer) external to the enclosure butwhich can be connected to the system 2. The enclosure 6 is normallyclosed by a penetration-resistant door, which if desired may have a backflange to further enhance penetration resistance and which is locked bya secure lock. (Where the system is one which meets the PDSrequirements, the lock itself will meet corresponding governmentalrequirements.) An authorized user will have a key or combination to thelock and can open the door and access a connection device on the securesystem 2 apparatus within the enclosure. The user then makes theconnection with his/her device and proceeds to do whatever is desiredduring access to the secure system. For instance, a computer user couldaccess a secure database or give operating commands to a piece ofequipment which is operated via the secure system or a chemist couldtake samples of the fluid passing through an environmental samplingtube. Security of the enclosure is assured since the user must keep thedoor open while having access, so an observer can see the user at work.Normally only a single connection is provided inside each enclosure, soonly a single individual can access the system at a time through theenclosure. Further, if the user terminates his/her use of the system butdoes not close the enclosure after use, that also is observable sincethe door can be seen to be open and the identity of the user as theperson who last accessed the enclosure will be known. While FIG. 1 showssecure enclosures 6 at each end of the conduit 2, it will be recognizedthat additional secure enclosures may be positioned at points along thelength of the conduit 2, such that access may be had to intermediatesections of the contained cables. Thus, for instance, multiple computeraccess enclosures may be present on a single computer network cable sothat multiple computer users can access the computer network, eachthrough his or her individual access enclosure.

[0057] It is also possible to interconnect two physically separatesecure systems of this invention. FIG. 42 illustrates such a connectionthrough two secure enclosures 6 and 6′ mounted on opposite sides of abarrier wall 230. Corresponding holes 232 and 232′ are drilled throughthe back of each enclosure 6, 6′ and through the wall 230 and a shortstrong pipe or elongated nipple 234, threaded on both ends, is passedthrough the holes and extended into the interior of each enclosure 6,6′, where it is secured by conventional nuts and washers 236, 236′covering the annular portions of the holes 232, 232′, so that externalaccess to the pipe 234 is prevented. Wires, cables, and pneumaticconduits from a secure system 2 of this invention can then be routedthrough the pipe 234 to a second secure system 2′ of this inventionwithout compromising the integrity and security of either system.

[0058] The secure conduit system 2 connects to a secure enclosure 6 bymeans of a flange connector 8, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The wall 10 ofenclosure 6 has an aperture 12 (usually circular) through which thecircular end extension 14 of the flange connector 8 is inserted.Extension 14 has external threads 16 which are disposed within theenclosure 6 upon insertion and the connector 8 is secured to theenclosure wall 10 by threading circular nut 18 onto threads 16 untilflange 20 of connector 8 abuts the exterior side of wall 10. Extendingfrom flange 20 is connector tube 22 which is hollow with a cross-section(usually square or rectangular) which corresponds similar to thecross-section of the raceway 26 and cover 28. An aperture 24 in flange20 provides passage for cables from within the enclosure 6 into theconnector tube 22 and thus into the conduit system.

[0059] A principal component of the system 2 is at least one, andusually many, raceways 26. A raceway 26 can be any convenient length. Itis convenient to provide stocks of raceway 26 in several standardlengths, for example 1, 3, 6 and 10 feet (or metric counterparts of 30cm and 1, 2 and 3 m). These can be cut to shorter lengths as needed andjoined to make longer lengths. Covering the raceways over most of theirlength are at least one (and also usually many) top covers 28. As bestshown in FIGS. 3, 6, 31 and 32, a raceway 26 is an elongated channelmember having a generally U-shaped cross-section with an open top 30 andsuitable for the routing of cables, wires, tubing and the like. (Forpurposes of this invention the word “raceway” includes all suitableelongated channel members, regardless of whether they may be referred toby other names in specific industries.) The specific U-shapedcross-section is not critical, as long as it can securely interfit witha corresponding top cover 28. The particular U-shaped cross-section willin many cases be dependent on the type of material from which theraceway 26 (and top cover 28) is made and how it is manufactured. Forinstance, aluminum raceways may be formed by extrusion, which allows forrounded configurations and internal ribs (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 31) whilesteel raceways commonly are formed by bending which results in morestraight-sided and sharper-edged embodiments (see FIG. 32). In theembodiment of FIGS. 3 and 6, the side walls 32 curve over inwardly atthe top to form protruding longitudinal flanges 34. Positioned on theinterior of the raceway 26 and disposed parallel to flanges 34 are apair of longitudinal ribs 36. In the FIG. 31 embodiment, the top potion34′ of flanges 34 is flattened with an inwardly folded end portion 34″,and the function of the ribs 36 is performed by the downwardly facingends 36′ of the folded end 34″, while in the FIG. 32 embodiment thestructure is generally V-shaped with top portion 34′ being rounded andthe end portions 43″ slope inwardly. The bottom of the raceway 26 isusually flat as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, but may be stepped as shown at40 to accommodate a linking plate 42 which connects two racewaysabutting at their ends (FIG. 3). One half of a gap bridge 42 is securedto the inside of the bottom of the raceway 26 as by adhesive bonding orspot welding, and then the other half is similarly secured to theabutting raceway 26 to form a firm connection between the two raceways.For most of the raceway elements 26, a closed top cover 28 having acomplementary U-shaped cross section and no apertures (see FIG. 7) isused to close the open top 30 of the raceway 26 once the cabling hasbeen inserted. The closed top cover 28 has secured on the inside thereof(as by spot welding) a locking tab 38, which interfits with the ribs 36and locks the top cover 28 in place.

[0060] To start assembly of a secure conduit system 2 a flange connector8 is first inserted into a secure enclosure 6 and fastened tightly asdescribed above. One end of a first raceway 26 is inserted fully intothe connector tube 22, butting up against the portion of flange 20 whichsurrounds aperture 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a topcover 28 is then fitted over the raceway 26. This top cover 28 will havean aperture 88 in it as illustrated in FIG. 8, for cooperation with thelocking device 52 as will be described below. Connector tube 22 will besized to accommodate both raceway 26 and top cover 28, so that theleading end of top cover 28 will have its end also abut flange 22 andthe entire combination of the raceway 26 and the top cover 28 fill theinterior of connector tube 22. At least for the first section of theconduit, the top cover 28 is preferably longer than the raceway 26 sothat when the second raceway 26 is attached to the first raceway 26, thefirst top cover 28 will extend over the exposed end of the first raceway26 for a short distance to cover the joint between the two racewayelements. A gap bridge 42 will join the two raceways. Thereafter thesecond raceway 26 is capped with a top cover 28 which does not have anaperture 88. A locking tab 38 may be positioned in the second top cover28, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, to engage the ribs 36 in the secondraceway 26 to secure the second top cover 28. Alternatively, if desiredthe structure of FIGS. 10 and 11 may be a supplemental cover 85 whichcan be slip fitted to overlay two abutting top covers 28 and 28′ andextend into abutting raceways 26 and 26′ to lock the raceways and topcovers together through engagement of the tab 38 and thus blockpenetration or separation of the abutment joint 87, as illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17. It will be seen that conduits of any desired length canbe constructed in this manner by sequential assembly of additionalraceways 26 and top covers 28, as desired, either joined directly bytabs 38 or indirectly by supplemental covers 85.

[0061] L-shaped corner or elbow raceways 46 (FIG. 18) their top covers48 (FIG. 19) and corresponding T-, Y- and X-shaped or other multi-armedbranching junction raceway units and their corresponding top covers(generally indicated at 50; FIG. 20) may be incorporated as needed toconstruct the desired overall system configuration. Where largerdiameter wires or cables are to be routed within the system 2 or wherethere are a large number of wires or cables within the conduit 2, itwill be desirable to use broadened configurations of the L-, T-, X- andY-shaped junction units such as illustrated in FIGS. 39, 40 and 41 at51. The broadened configurations allow for larger radius turns of thewires or cables and thus prevent kinking at turns. Some corners andother units may have the raceways and covers secured together by thelocking mechanisms described herein which incorporate internal andexternal elements as illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 3 and 16. However,alternative configurations of such units with internal lockingmechanisms are illustrated in FIGS. 27-30, 38 and 40. In thesealternative configurations the raceway 26 has secured to the middleportion thereto (as by spot welding or strong adhesive) an upwardlyextending bar 210 terminated by a barrel 212 disposed parallel to theinner top surface of the top cover 28. The inner top surface of thecover 28 has a corresponding latching member 214 which is configured asone half of a hinge, with knuckles 216 serving as guides for a slidingpin 218 (similar to a hinge pin) with a hooked end 220 to allow formanipulation of the pin 218. In one mode of operation when the raceway26 and the cover 28 are interfitted, the barrel 212 fits between two ofthe knuckles 216 a and 216 b with their respective axes aligned, and thepin 218 can be manually moved from within the interior of theinterfitted raceway/cover to a position where it is extended through thebarrel 212 and at least the knuckles 216 a and 216 b in the manner of ahinge pin to lock the raceway 26 and the cover 28 together. While theT-, Y- and X-configured units can operate with only one bar 210/member214 pair, the L-shaped corners or bends (elbows) will normally requiretwo pairs, one in each leg of the L, unless the L is very shallow (i.e.,the bend or elbow encompasses only a small angle). One can optionallyput additional pairs in two or more arms of the T-, Y- and X-shapedunits to enhance their resistance to unauthorized access. One may alsosupport the pin 218 within the barrel 212 and have it slide into one ormore of the knuckles 216 as illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30. Otherconvenient configurations will be evident to those skilled in the artdepending on the specific alignments of adjacent parts of the conduitbend, elbow, junction, etc. It will also be evident that once lockedtogether in this manner, the raceway and cover can only be unlocked forseparation from within the conduit, thus enhancing secutiry andprevention of unauthorized access for the present system.

[0062] The system requires that at least one location a closed top coverwill not be used. Rather at this location a locking top cover (describedbelow) will be inserted once the insertion of the cabling is completedand the closed top covers have been placed. In the preferred assemblyprocedure, at least for a portion of the system the raceways 26 arefirst placed, including any corner or junction raceways in that portion.Preferably this section will be one which connects to a secureenclosure. The cabling is then laid into the raceways 26 through theopenings 30 in their tops and the ends of the cabled passed into theinterior of the enclosure. This installation of cabling by simply layingthem in the raceways will be recognized to be much easier than having tothread or fish the cables through closed conduits. It may also bedesired to lay the cabling throughout the entire conduit system at thistime, instead of laying the cabling only for one portion of the systemat a time, particularly if the system is fairly short (as for instancewithin a single room, a suite of rooms or a small building). Once thecables are placed, the top covers 28 can be installed, awaiting theinstallation of the locking mechanisms to be described below. Wherethere may be prior non-secure raceways of different cross-section usedin the system, one can use raceway covers with modified snap-inconnectors configured to connect to the upper parts of those racewaysand provide the needed security.

[0063] A critical element of the present invention is the securinglocking mechanism used to maintain the integrity of the conduit systemwhile permitting its simple and easy unlocking and disassembly whendesired, while yet insuring that the locking system cannot be unlockedor disabled by unauthorized means. This is accomplished by means oflocking plate assemblies inserted at the gaps in the top coverinstallations along the conduit. The top cover mechanism and itsinstallation and operation is best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 8-9 and12-14. (The embodiment illustrated is typical when the components aremade of aluminum; FIG. 15 parallels FIG. 13 to briefly illustrate thetypical shape differences when the components are made of steel. Theminor differences imparted by different materials of construction arediscussed further elsewhere herein.) One embodiment of the lockingdevice 52 is shown from above and below in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.(Other embodiments will be exemplified below.) It comprises a base plate54 which has a lateral width W slightly greater than the width of theopening 30 in the raceway 26. The plate 54 also has an aperture 68 andguides 70 (conveniently formed by bending inwardly two tabs formed bycutting aperture 66) in which a longitudinally extending rod 72 ismounted through holes 76. Aperture 68 is positioned such that retractingrod 72 clears its distal end 84 from being beneath aperture 68. Rod 72has a flange 74 serving as a stop and a hole 78 near one end to which isattached a pull wire 80. A compression spring 82 surrounds the rod 72and its end distal from the hole 78 is attached to the rod 72. Thespring 82 should be of a strength such that when released fromcompression it readily urges the rod 72 into a locked position asdescribed below, but not so strong that an excessive pull on pull wire80 must be used to retract it and release locking top cover 84 whenaccess to the interior of the conduit system is desired. Depending fromthe corners of the plate 54 are U-shaped support brackets 56 withapertures 58 therethrough to guide and support locking pins 60. Wedgedbetween the pair of support brackets 56 at each end of the plate 54 is aspring metal strip 62, preferably made of spring steel. Prior toinsertion into the conduit, the strips 62 are compressed inwardly asshown in FIG. 12 and held in that position by pliers handled by theinstaller. The strips 62 are positioned inwardly of and in contact withflanges 64 on the pins 60. (Other embodiments of securing means will beexemplified below.)

[0064] The assembly procedure then continues with the installer loweringlocking device 52 into an opening 30 in the space left between twoclosed top covers 30 (FIG. 12) until the base plate 54 rests on the topflanges 34 of the raceway (FIG. 13). The holes 58 in the brackets 56 arenow disposed below the ribs 36. The installer then releases the springmetal strips 62 which spring outward in contact with the pin flanges 64,thus moving the pins 60 outwardly and under the ribs 36, thus securingthe locking device 52 in place. In each system at least one (and usuallymost or all) pull wire 80 must be long enough so that it extends to andthrough aperture 24 in the side of enclosure 6, where it terminates inpull ring 92. Only pull wires 80 which terminate inside a secureenclosure 6 can be operated to initiate opening the system. Then alocking top cover 84 (FIG. 8) is placed over the opening 30 and thelocking device 52, so that the ends of the locking top cover 84 overlaponto the ends of the two adjacent closed top covers 28 as shown in FIG.3, so that the entire length of openings 30 in the raceways 26 is nowcovered. The locking top cover 84 is placed so that its aperture 88 isaligned with aperture 68 in base plate 54, rod 72 is retracted by aninstaller pulling on pull ring 92 from within the secure enclosure 6,and a T-shaped locking bracket 86 is inserted through apertures 68 and88 so that the leg of the bracket 86 with hole 90 projects into theinterior of the raceway 26 and hole 90 is aligned with the distal end 74of rod 72 (FIG. 3). The pull ring 92 is then released and, impelled bycompression spring 82, rod 72 is urged forward and its distal end 74passes through hole 90 in bracket 86, thus locking bracket 86 fromupward movement and securing locking top cover 84 in place. Allcomponents of the secure conduit system 2 are now interlocked intoposition with each other and none can be moved or removed until rod 82is again retracted from hole 90 in bracket 86 by manipulation of thepull ring 92 from within the secure enclosure 6. With all of the lockingplate assemblies in place and their covers locked to them, the conduitassembly is complete.

[0065] Alternative structures are contemplated for the locking device 52and for manipulation of the locking and unlocking mechanism. FIG. 21illustrates mechanized variations of the pull wire 80 and manual pullring 92. The housing 182 is contemplated to contain a conventionalmechanical or electromechanical actuator, (not shown) such as a servomechanism, that will reciprocate a linkage 180 which causes the rod 72to engage or disengage the bracket 86 as described above. Alternativelywithin the housing 182 could be a pneumatic or hydraulic actuatorcooperating with linkage 180 (in this case in the form of a fluid-filledtube, which acts through a pressure-to-mechanical coupler 184 to engageor disengage the bracket 86 as described. Housing 182 will also containmeans, preferably activatable from outside the housing, to start theactuator. The source of electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power to movethe actuator may be internal or external to the housing but should beinternal to the secure enclosure 6. Batteries or pressurized reservoirsof gas or liquid may be maintained within the enclosure 6. If the sourceof the electricity, gas or liquid is outside the enclosure 6, then itmust be provided access to the enclosure 6 in a secure manner consistentwith the overall security of the enclosure and the conduit system.

[0066] Further, the locking device 52 may alternatively be mounted asshown for comparable device 186 in FIG. 22, with the device 186 having aflat configuration with mounting bolts 188 the ends of which engagerespectively flanges 34 and ribs 36 and which are thereafter tightenedto secure the device 186 in place. In a further alternative illustratedin FIG. 23, the locking device 52 (here identified as 52′) has slantedlegs 192 projecting downwardly from the base plate 54 and terminating inhooked portions 194. When the device 52′ is inserted into the opening 30of raceway 26, the base plate 54 is seated against the top of raceway 26as described above. However, in this embodiment the legs 192, which areslightly flexible, are forced into contact with the ribs 36 and eachprojecting hooked portion 194 flexes to slide below the underside of arib 36 and then resiles to snap outwardly into locking engagement withthe underside of the rib 34, thus securing the device 52′ in placewithout the need for cooperating pins 60 or springs 62. In anotheralternative shown in FIGS. 24-26, device 52 (identified as 52″) hasrigid straight legs 196 with holes 198. When the bracket 52″ is seatedon the raceway 26, the legs 196 project through the opening 30 and theholes 198 are aligned with the underside of ribs 34. Spring pins 200,which are generally U-shaped devices with angled pin projection 202 arethe ends of the legs of the U-shape, are then flexed closed (asillustrated in FIG. 25) and positioned manually to align the ends ofprojections 202 with the holes 198. Each spring pin 200 is then allowedto resile open allowing the projections 202 to pass through the holes198 (as illustrated in FIG. 26) and engage the undersides of ribs 34 andlock the device 52″ in place. This configuration can be readily unlockedby manually compressing the spring pins 200 to withdraw the projections202 from the holes 198, thus releasing the locking device 52″.

[0067] The system can have many other alternative embodiments which willbe evident to the person skilled in the art. In FIGS. 33-35 analternative locking device 238 is shown, which as compared to lockingdevice 52 is configured to simply be seated over the folded top 34′ offlanges 34 of the raceway 26. The curved or bent shape of spring pins200′, as compared to pins 200, facilitates their being locked in placewhen the conduits are closed since the contact with the underside of thecovers 84 urges the pins 200′ down against the base plate 54′. The top28 has on the underside a U-shaped bracket 241 which has a lateral slot243 through it. When the locking mechanism 238 is placed in the raceway26 and the top cover 28 placed over it, the tab 245 with hole 70′therein fits into the slot 243. When the lanyard or pull cord 80 ispulled to release the rod 72′, spring 82 urges the rod 72′ forwardthrough hole 70′ and tab 245 and bracket 241 are locked together. Therod 72′ is has a pointed end 246 to facilitate alignment of the rod inits guide holes 70 and 70′. Once locked with rod 72′ and with tab 245seated in slot 243, the section of the conduit is locked against motionin all three axes. The lanyard or pull wire 80 can be extended formultiple lengths such as 80′ and 80″ by use of connectors 184. FIGS.37-40 illustrate two versions of a multiple locking embodiment for elbow(L) sections and intersection (T, X and Y) sections, in which there arelanyard or spring pins-operated locking mechanisms in more than one, andpreferably all, of the branches of a multipath section. The enhances thesecurity of the system, as no one can release the cover 28 of a sectionby manipulating only one lanyard or pull wire 80 or one spring pindevice 200 or 200′. If lanyards are used they can be made long enough toreach to the nearest secure enclosures 6 of the system if desired.Preferably however they will reach only into the next section (as shownin phantom as 26′ in FIG. 40), as do the spring pin devices 200′ (FIG.41). The multipath section therefore cannot be opened until the adjacentsections have been opened and the lanyards 80 or spring pin devices 200′for the L, T, X or Y section are accessed. The other sections in turncannot be opened until the initial section is opened by manipulation ofa lanyard or pull wire 80 which extends into a secure enclosure 6 asdescribed above.

[0068] It will therefore be seen that this system is entirely securefrom outside access or penetration, since it cannot be unlocked otherthan by release from within a secure enclosure, and the secure enclosureitself can be opened only by authorized persons. There are no externalpoints of entry where an intruder can gain access. All covers are lockedto the raceways either the snap-in connectors or by the locking plateassemblies. Any attempt to enter the secure enclosure or the secureconduit is visible to observers, particularly on those segments of thesystem where the raceways are mounted on standoffs from the underlyingsupporting wall or other structure. If it is desired to reenter theconduit, as for instance to lay additional cables or pipes through theconduit, or gain access to a faulty cable or pipe, one can only initiateaccess through a secure enclosure. In a manually operated embodiment, auser will pull on one of the access cables attached to a locking rod ina locking plate assembly to retract the rod and coil spring, removingthe rod from the aperture in the lock plate connector. That section ofthe raceway cover can now be lifted out, exposing the locking plateassembly for removal be releasing the side pins from under the racewayinternal ribs. The interior of the raceway is then entirely open and thecables, pipes, etc. within can readily be accessed. (The removal stepsfor removal of the released locking plate will depend on the structureof each embodiment of the locking plate, as will be evident to thoseskilled in the art from the descriptions of exemplary embodimentsherein. Essentially unlocking and removal steps are merely the reverseof the assembly and locking steps.)

[0069] In addition to the obvious security provided to the cables,pipes, etc., the present invention also eliminates the time-consuming,tedious and often quite difficult process of “fishing” a cable, wire,etc. through a secure conduit. One can now simply lay the cable, etc.directly into the open raceway and then securely close the raceway overit with the covers and locking devices. This advantage is particularnotable for pipes and other relatively rigid tubes which cannot usuallybe fished without extreme difficulty, and often cannot be fished at all.Such rigid devices can now simply be laid into the conduits and readilyaccessed and removed when required.

[0070] The materials from which the raceways, top covers and otherportions of the system will be made will usually be a matter of choice,guided by any specifications defined by the environment or use of thesystem. For instance, NSTISSI 7003 defines materials which are requiredto be used in PDS systems, such as steel. NSTISSI 7003 does, however,also recognize Simple Distribution Systems (SDS) as a subset of PDS, forwhich broader ranges of materials are acceptable. Further, for thosesystems for which neither PDS nor SDS standards are applicable, thechoice of materials can be based on the user's determination of whatmaterials are appropriate for the system of interest. Therefore, withinany limits defined by applicable published specifications such asNSTISSI 7003, it is anticipated that most components, such as raceways,top covers, and locking mechanisms will normally be formed from metal,especially steel or heavy gauge aluminum, although other non-ferrousmetals such as zinc or brass as well as various specialty ferrous ornon-ferrous alloys may also be used. Woods, ceramics or variousplastics, particularly those known as engineering plastics, or any othermaterial which meets local security requirements may also be used.Spring metal plates will be a springy material, normally a spring steel.The pull wire or halyard for manual or mechanical operation may be metalwire or a strong ceramic fiber or glass fiber or polymeric strandmaterial, or may be a rigid rod of metal or fiber. Ordinary cord such ascotton or organic fiber cord is preferably avoided because of its lowstrength and potential for deterioration. Where the release mechanism ispneumatically or hydraulically operated appropriate fluid tubing will beused. It is preferred that the locking devices be positioned relativelyclose to their adjacent secure enclosures 6 such that pull wires orfluid tubes may be kept to a reasonably short length (e.g., about 1-3feet [30-100 cm]). This will facilitate operation of the releasemechanisms and avoid problems such as kinking in the pull wire or tube.Also preferably the pull wire or tube should not extend around a bend inthe system 2, especially a sharp bend, but if such is necessary it isuseful to have a guide (not shown) at the interior of the bend to guidethe wire or tube around the bend and minimize movement friction and toavoid creating sharp bends and perhaps kinks in the wire or tube.

[0071] It will be evident that there are numerous embodiments of thepresent invention which are not expressly described above but which areclearly within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore,the above description is intended to be exemplary only, and the actualscope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for secure routing of a signalling ortransmission means which comprises: a first open-sided open-endedelongated channel member through which said means is routed; a firstcover for closure of an open side of said first channel member; saidfirst channel member and said first cover in combination forming ahollow first conduit section; a locking device to lock said first coverto said first channel member, said locking device being releasable onlyfrom within said first channel member; and release means for releasingsaid locking device and accessible though an open end of said firstchannel member; whereby said hollow first conduit section can bedisassembled only by release of said locking device by access through anopen end of said conduit section.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 furthercomprising a second channel member and a second cover which upon beingjoined together form a second hollow conduit section which may beabutted to an end of said first conduit section to form an elongatedconduit, with locking together of said first channel member and saidfirst cover also serves to lock together said second channel member andsaid second cover, such that said elongated conduit can be disassembledonly by release of said locking device by access through said open endof said elongated conduit.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprisingat least one end of said elongated conduit being seated in an aperturein an enclosure such that access to hollow interior of said conduit andto said release means is only through said enclosure.
 4. Apparatus as inclaim 2 further wherein said elongated conduit comprises a plurality ofsaid second conduit sections with at least one said first conduitsection, with interiors of all of said first and second conduit sectionsbeing accessible only through an end of said elongated conduit. 5.Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising one said first conduitsection with said locking device at or adjacent to each end of saidelongated conduit, such that unlocking and disassembly of a firstconduit section may be accomplished from any end of said conduit. 6.Apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising each said end of saidelongated conduit being seated in an aperture in an enclosure such thataccess to hollow interior of said conduit and to said release means isonly through said enclosure.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein eachsaid end is seated in a different said enclosure.
 8. Apparatus as inclaim 7 wherein each said enclosure is itself a secure enclosure. 9.Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising said plurality of said secondsections being interspersed with at least one hollow routing sectioncomprising a raceway and top cover, said routing section serving toalter the linear direction of said elongated conduit or to divide saidelongated conduit into a plurality of branches.
 10. Apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein said signalling or transmission means compriseselectrical or electronic cabling or wiring or fluid conveyance tubing.11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said cabling or wiring compriseswire or optical fiber cabling.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein saidfluid conveyance tubing comprises gas or liquid pneumatic or hydrauliclines.
 13. Apparatus for secure routing of signalling or transmissionmeans between a first location and a second location, which comprises:an elongated conduit with an end at each of said first and secondlocations, comprising a plurality of interconnecting elongated hollowconduit sections, each conduit section comprising an interconnectedraceway having an open side and cover closing said open side, saidraceway and cover forming an open interior extending through saidconduit and providing said routing of said signalling or transmissionmeans through said conduit; at least a raceway of a first one of saidconduit sections having an open side and said interconnected covercovering said open side and being releasable from said raceway, saidcover having a first aperture therein; a locking device seated on anexterior of said open side of said raceway with a portion thereofprojecting into said interior of said raceway and being secured thereto,and said locking device having a second aperture therein; a latchingbracket releasably mounted on said cover with a portion thereofprojecting through said first aperture in said cover and said secondaperture in said locking device; latching means within said conduit forreleasably engaging said latching bracket and retaining said portion ofsaid bracket in position projecting through said first and secondapertures, thereby releasably securing said cover in place covering saidopen side of said raceway; and latch release means within said conduitand attached to said latching means and operable only through an end ofsaid conduit, for releasing said latching means from engagement withsaid latching bracket such that said cover may be disengaged from saidraceway member and access gained to said interior of said conduit;whereby said interior of said conduit and any signalling or transmissionmeans routed therethrough are accessible only through said open end ofsaid conduit.
 14. Apparatus as in claim 13 further comprising at leastone other of said conduit sections not having said locking devicetherein, and which may be abutted to an end of said first conduitsection to form said elongated conduit, with locking together of racewayand cover of said first conduit section also serves to lock togethersaid raceway and cover of said other conduit section, such that saidelongated conduit can be disassembled only by release of said lockingdevice by access through said open end of said elongated conduit. 15.Apparatus as in claim 13 further comprising at least one end of saidelongated conduit being seated in an aperture in an enclosure such thataccess to hollow interior of said conduit and to said release means isonly through said enclosure.
 16. Apparatus as in claim 13 furthercomprising one said first conduit section with said locking device at oradjacent to each end of said elongated conduit, such that unlocking anddisassembly of a first conduit section may be accomplished from any endof said conduit.
 17. Apparatus as in claim 16 further comprising eachsaid end of said elongated conduit being seated in an aperture in anenclosure such that access to hollow interior of said conduit and tosaid release means is only through said enclosure.
 18. Apparatus as inclaim 17 wherein each said end is seated in a different said enclosure.19. Apparatus as in claim 18 wherein each said enclosure is itself asecure enclosure.
 20. Apparatus as in claim 14 further comprising saidplurality of said other sections being interspersed with at least onehollow routing section comprising a raceway and top cover, said routingsection serving to alter the linear direction of said elongated conduitor to divide said elongated conduit into a plurality of branches. 21.Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said routing section comprises aconduit section having a T-, Y-, L- or X-shaped or other multipathconfiguration.
 22. Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said routing sectioncomprises a raceway and interfitting cover forming a hollow interiorwith a latching apparatus disposed therein and manually operable toreleasably secure said raceway and cover together.
 23. Apparatus as inclaim 22 wherein said latching apparatus comprises interfitting pinreceivers extending respectively from said raceway and said cover andsecured together with a pin interfitting with said receivers. 24.Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein a plurality of paths of said multipathrouting section include locking devices such that said raceway and saidtop cover of said routing section cannot be separated without release ofall said locking devices within said routing section.
 25. Apparatus asin claim 13 wherein each said raceway and each said cover therefor aregenerally U-shaped in cross-section.
 26. Apparatus as in claim 25further comprising said cover closing said open side of said channel bybeing inverted and disposed over said raceway with respective parallelside walls overlapping, thereby forming a secure tubular member witheach end thereof being open.
 27. Apparatus as in claim 26 whereinraceway comprises parallel sides forming said U-shaped cross-sectionwith each of said parallel sides having a longitudinal rib disposed onthe inner surface thereof.
 28. Apparatus as in claim 27 furthercomprising said locking device having projections extending into saidinterior of said conduit, said projections having securing meansassociated therewith engaging each said longitudinal rib on saidparallel walls, thereby securing said locking device in place. 29.Apparatus as in claim 28 wherein said securing means comprises laterallyretractably extending pins which engage the underside of said ribs. 30.Apparatus as in claim 29 wherein retraction of said pins permitsdisengagement of said locking device from said cover and raceway. 31.Apparatus as in claim 29 wherein said pins are urged into engagementwith said underside of said ribs by spring means.
 32. Apparatus as inclaim 28 wherein said securing means comprises bolts which clamp saidlocking device to both a top surface of said conduit and to said ribs.33. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said latching means is reversiblyoperable by an elongated strand or spring means extending from saidlatching means into an adjacent section of said elongated conduit. 34.Apparatus as in claim 33 wherein said latching means is manipulatedmanually or by mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulicmeans.
 35. Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said latching means isreversibly operable by an elongated strand or spring means extendingfrom said latching means of said elongated conduit into an enclosure andexiting from an end thereof inside said enclosure for manipulationthrough said enclosure.
 36. Apparatus as in claim 35 wherein saidlatching means is manipulated manually or by mechanical,electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic means.
 37. Apparatus as inclaim 13 wherein said signalling or transmission means compriseselectrical or electronic cabling or wiring or fluid conveyance tubing.38. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said cabling or wiring compriseswire or optical fiber cabling.
 39. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein saidfluid conveyance tubing comprises gas or liquid pneumatic or hydrauliclines.